3800 Series II NA Swap Opportunity (Page 1/1)
Pengu MAY 03, 07:19 PM


After driving an 86 GT for a few months, I've decided that a lot of the things left I want to do would correlate to an engine and transmission swap. I haven't had much luck looking for a 3800SC Series II, at least at an alright price, and have come across a running donor car: a 2002 Grand Prix for $600. The only caveat is that a tree fell on it, but since it still can run and drive, I don't believe it affected the transmission. 166k miles, 2nd owner and well maintained. I will keep an extra eye out for anything better in the price range, but I believe I can use additional parts for this car, and sell the tires it came with. I would like to transition this car into a dependable daily, and I've been looking for roughly half a year, seems a good bit of the supercharged ones are snagged. I still have a week to meet the person and car, what have your buying options and swap experiences been like? This is in Georgia by the way.
shemdogg MAY 03, 08:15 PM
Thats a deal, but if you want the supercharged motor wait for that. If theres no good ones, get a used one and have it rebuilt. The NA motors dont take the boost as well, plenty of threads on both.

shem
MulletproofMonk MAY 04, 03:59 PM
I know I have a different opinion here, but I loved my 3800na in my 87GT. It was a substantial HP upgrade over the stock motor, it ran 87 octane, I drove it daily for over two years and probably put 20k miles on it until I hit a deer... It is the same amount of work to do the swap, but was fun enough to drive that my 34k supercharged motor is still in the garage.

Just now starting to revisit installing the 3800sc for the 40th. I would have sold it, but I have too much invested in the HP upgrades. Also have another 3800na sitting here because I loved it that much.

------------------
-Brian

My 87 GT Poly Suspension Upgrade (all pics) thread
Removing the roof panel
My HUD install thread
Modified stock air canister and base to 3.5 inch for 3800na

cam-a-lot MAY 09, 09:54 AM

quote
Originally posted by shemdogg:

Thats a deal, but if you want the supercharged motor wait for that. If theres no good ones, get a used one and have it rebuilt. The NA motors dont take the boost as well, plenty of threads on both.

shem



Plenty of people (me included) have a blower on a N/A bottom end without issues. As long as you don't go crazy with boost, it should be fine. I run a 3.0 Pulley and full stack I/C, XP Cam